Review of "Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Guide" by Kevin DeYoung
As a pastor, I was intrigued when I heard Kevin DeYoung’s latest offering, Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Guide, was available. Having previously appreciated DeYoung’s rigorous approach in What is the Mission of the Church, I was eager to see how he’d handle the complex topic of gender roles within the church. However, much to my disappointment, this book felt more like a pamphlet than an in-depth exploration.
From the outset, it’s clear that DeYoung is addressing a specific audience—his own congregation. He expresses a desire for a straightforward guide reflecting his church’s beliefs on the ministry of women, and that’s precisely how the book reads. This limited scope struck me as both the strength and the weakness of the work. While affirmations of belief can be crucial for congregational guidance, they fall short of providing the theological rigor one would hope for in such a nuanced discussion.
In examining the Old Testament, I found the lack of a Christological framework particularly alarming. DeYoung discusses the roles of men and women in a manner that centers on human attributes rather than the redemptive work of Christ. For instance, he suggests that a man’s strength naturally aligns him for labor, while a woman’s nurturing characteristics best suit her for the home. Yet, he glosses over the strong capabilities of women—evidenced vividly in Proverbs 31—who are not only capable homemakers but also skilled laborers. This selective exegesis created a sense of disconnection for me as I sought a more balanced exploration.
DeYoung frames 1 Timothy as the "Heart of the Matter," implicitly tying the discussion around women’s preaching to a stringent, traditional view of scripture. While I understand the importance of this conversation, I wished he had also dedicated time to unpack the beautiful complexities of complementarity. Instead, the treatment of Ephesians, particularly its discussion of headship, felt hurried and almost dismissive.
His definitions of God-given masculinity and femininity—framed as Strength for men and Beauty for women—felt simplistic and reductive. Such categories seem to lack the depth I expect from theological discourse, especially when they are not firmly grounded in Genesis or any comprehensive biblical synthesizing. Further, the book’s silencing of singles and those unable to have children would likely alienate many, reducing their experiences to mere footnotes.
At times, I found DeYoung’s writing style light-hearted, but it often veered into unintended awkwardness. Referring to Eve as a “womb-man” and providing a list of ministry activities which included “running baby showers” seemed tone-deaf and lacking in genuine consideration for the diverse roles women play in ministry today. These moments took away from the serious nature of the discussion and left me unsettled.
The most focused part of the book, in a brief appendix, critiques John Dickson’s view on women preaching, which could indicate that DeYoung’s primary aim was to affirm his church’s stance rather than engage genuinely with diverse perspectives on complementarity.
If you are curious to explore the perspectives on gender roles in ministry, I’d suggest engaging with this text alongside your pastor. For a more enriching and thoughtful exegesis, Christopher Ash’s Marriage: Sex in the Service of God could serve as a better alternative.
In conclusion, while Men and Women in the Church may offer some insights for those already aligned with DeYoung’s views, it falls short for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of complementarity in ministry. This reading experience was ultimately frustrating for me, as I yearned for a deeper exploration of the topic rooted in Scripture rather than a surface-level affirmation of one particular stance.
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